My wife and I have been writing,performing, recording and producing our own music for 22 years. I have heard some positive things about TAXI in that you can get your stuff heard. Any feedback?
Thanks
Comments
It has been a general rule of thumb for as long as I know of (a long time :D ) never to pay to have your music heard or published. You see, the way it works is, they are supposed to pay you.... (sorry for the sarcasim) . They (the cab company) will tell you about the ten or twenty or even hundreds of songs they have sold ... but what they don't mention is the thousands or tens of thousands they didn't. And think about all the money they made from those too. It's a chump game IMO. These days the way to do this is get hooked up with an entertainment attorney who has contacts with the record companies and publishers. That's the ticket! Spend your money on a lawyer. Fats :w:
I had a band chum joined taxi for two years. This guy has an incredible voice, and writes really good music. He even has a friend in a big time, major recording group.
He said it wasn't worth it.
I once got advice from a girlfriends father that is a well known mainstream Bluegrass player...
"Just start playing."
Hey,
I am a professional musician, and songwriter. I have released several CDs and toured many countries. And STILL I joined Taxi. Simply in my mind, every chance you get to have your music heard by someone is worth the small price of admission. I have gotten many songs placed with music libraries through Taxi, so it has worked for me. More than anything it is the contacts that you can then develop relationships with.
You are right - for the few that get their songs accepted there are thousands that don't - but that would be just as true if you were to try and hire a "music attorney" - First off, if you are no good - they can't help you, and probably wouldn't want to for their reputations sake, not to mention you can't hire even a crappy music attorney with NO contacts for the couple of hundred bucks a Taxi membership costs you. Plus they do critiqueing if you like, and put on a songwriting conference that you can attend free of charge etc etc -
There do seem to be lots of scams out there - and I can see why many of you are leary. - but I can only tell you from personal experience - much like hooked on phonics..... "Taxi werked fer me"!!
jeff
Hey Fats,
I don't know if you know how the Taxi system works so forgive me if you are already aware. They give me a "listing" of someone looking for some type of song. I then submit a song that I think would be appropriate. They then "screen" it and if they feel it is right for the listing, they forward it to the party that is looking for the song. Then it is up to the people that they forwarded it to to contact me. I get lots of "forwards" that I don't hear back from - meaning they didn't think the song was as good as Taxi or I did :o ( - But if they do call you back, then you deal with them directly - Taxi is out of the loop. What makes this cool to me is that I have ongoing relationships with 3 different music libraries that all "called me back" for one of my songs. But besides the deal on each of the songs they wanted, I now have a direct connection to the people there and am in fact doing several other songs for one of them right now. So once Taxi sends your stuff to them and they contact you then it is up to you to nurture the contacts anyway you like.
I have always agreed with you on not paying to have someone else put your music out - especially like compilation CDs etc. etc - but what I look at Taxi as is a fairly inexpensive way to procure contacts that can last for years. Seems like a great vehicle to me.
Does that make sense?
jeff
GTR, based on your track record, that is great!
I, being an arranger and composer, do not write lyrics actually. Do you feel that soundtracks alone, that is is viable?
I did a 4 piece group once in the early 90's and the concept was hi-jacked from me so I am leary of communication in which I am not the one doing the presentation. I hired a well respected publicist to do the contacting and She basically sold the gig out from under me with her hands in the air "I don't know what happened" so then you have the basis for my initial attitude. After that, the group split up (all are still good buddys and I stay in contact), but I asked them in advance if this was the route they wanted to go...to the big time and I gave them repeated warnings (and so did my legal staff) but they wanted it and got screwed royally and you cannot fight a multi billion dollar corporation unless you have serious underwriters ready to go to bat with you...which none of them had billions.
I Know a cat that dropped literally 700 million to get "in" in Las Vegas as a casino and it went up in dust with a letter saying "sorry".
I saw the same thing happen with Harras Casino in New Orleans with 550 Million.
When you deal with folks that represent Billions amongst billions, you cannot play by any rules BUT theirs...and with your money.
Burned 2 times, 10 times shy.
Hey Bill and Fats,
Tis great to be posting with ya!
Bill, while I have a regular retroish rock band, I also write and record a lot of instrumental guitar based music. From Blues to "Extreme sports" type of stuff. They run a lot of listings for film/tv kind of music, so I think it is a good way in to that. I realize it is much easier to get a tune used as a background on a Fox sports show than it is to have a number 1 pop single (not to mention the selling your soul to satan part) :) - but still, ya gotta take what you can!!
Anyway, hope this helps -
jeff
My question is this, does anybody know anyone who has joined taxi and have gotten their song used? I heard the questions about TAxi on the net for 5 years or so, and yet not one single example of a actual human being actually getting something signed.
I know a independent record label owner who joined and sent some really top quality, could be major hit material in, never even getting a postitve response on any of the songs. he even told me he'd submit my stuff for free but so far I have been ducking the issue.
hey there cedar.....i have a friend that gave them 300 songs...good ones that have been recorded by artists in canada...taxi were all hot and heavy about them and so he paid the fee and sent them down....not a word, not whiff of anything in the past three years....i would say, stick with the known publishers and agents, why do it with someone who nobody has ever seen a track record with....i have played with the small dogs and they only get you so far....you want big...do what bill says..stay indie.....and pitch to the ones who can....cheers mark
My experience has been that anybody who comes on in a business-like manner can easily get heard. There are nutcases who sue publishers or that even turn up at their office with a gun so most publishers require some kind of contact or referral in advance however they ARE still in the business of finding and placing new songs. Any ASCAP or BMI member can get an appointment with somebody who can get you heard by LOTS of publishers if your stuff is any good at all.
Hey all,
Seems I have not made a very clear point - although in my first post where I said "I have gotten many songs placed with music libraries through Taxi, so it has worked for me." Or in my second post where I said "...music libraries that all "called me back" for one of my songs. But besides the deal on each of the songs they wanted,..." - - - So YES - I - an actual human, have signed publishing deals, for songs I wrote, and have been paid for with connections from Taxi. Once again you don't "sell" your songs to Taxi, or anyone else if you don't want to. Like any publishing deal you would get even if not through Taxi you sign the deal you want and feel comfortable with - and this has nothing to do with Taxi. If the pub company offers you a bogus deal you don't take it - if it is a good one then you do. And Mukshoe - I don't doubt that your friend has told you of his 300 songs, but that is simply NOT the way Taxi works - you don't just send them a pile of songs and they make you a star. You send certain songs for certain listings - usually one or two at a time. And if they are "forwarded" to the people who asked for that type of song - then you may or may not get a call back based on what THEY - not Taxi think of them.
Anyway - there is a lot of info on their website that tells how it works - I just think it is best to post based on facts rather than hearsay - so I would recommend you just go there and check it out for yourselves and make your own minds up. I think it is just http://www.taxi.com
jeff
Jeff,
Thank you. That's what I was wondering about and now I have an answer. Having songs placed or even published is a totally different thing than getting paid. But in your case everything has gone well and congrats are in order. Kudos Jeff... Fats
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tannoy, Dynaudio, Blue Sky, JBL, Earthworks, Westlake, NS 10's :D , Genelec, Hafler, KRK, and PMC
Those are good. …………………….. Pick one.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well not a 1099 but your reply was a bit ambiguous. I am sure you didn't mean it that way, just wasn't sure if you placed it or sold it. I've placed songs but that doesn't mean they sold. Didn't mean to give you the 5th degree. Thanks, Fats
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tannoy, Dynaudio, Blue Sky, JBL, Earthworks, Westlake, NS 10's :D , Genelec, Hafler, KRK, and PMC
Those are good. …………………….. Pick one.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi People!
I joined TAXI for a year.
I sent in lots of stuff for many listings, mostly rock.
Sometimes things got forwarded, most times not.
You can ask for the screener to give you a review of your music.
It can be very humbling. (What I thought was my best stuff once got a '3' in a scale of '5')
But I did get a call from 2 publishers who were interested in the same song. I signed a deal with one.
More than a year later (after I had forgotten about it) the publisher called and said he placed the song in not one but two network TV shows!
I received my half of the sync fee for one show and so far have received two checks from ASCAP.
At least it paid for the TAXI membership and the submission fees.
For me this was quite a change, usually the money is going out not coming in!!!
gtr made a good point as I think the publisher would actually listen to a submission from me.
Of course I can't really say that for sure!
So you guys have heard of one dork who has been paid for the use of a song with the connection from TAXI.
I didn't join again though.
I got a couple more anecdotes about TAXI if you want to hear.
Aloha,
Stabb
btw - the song that was signed was an instrumental samba....
Stabb wrote: Hi People! So you guys have heard of one dork who
Stabb wrote: Hi People!
So you guys have heard of one dork who has been paid for the use of a song with the connection from TAXI.I didn't join again though.
I got a couple more anecdotes about TAXI if you want to hear.
If you'ld had limited success, why didn't you join again?
Tell us more, too...
sserendipity, My limited success actually happened after my memb
sserendipity,
My limited success actually happened after my membership expired.
When I was a member, the only way you could submit material was to fill out their form and mail in a tape or cd (+ $5 per submission).
I know it doesn't sound like much but when you're submitting music for lot's of different listings, it comes out to a lot of effort!
Skulling out the listings, seeing if what you have is appropriate or coming up with new music.
Burning cds, preparing the package (TAXI used to call them 'burritos').
Making doubly sure everythings right.
Then of course getting down to the post office and standing in line to ship'em out.
If you're trying to get something out of your TAXI membership, it can be very, well, TAXING! (sorry!)
So after a year of that and nothing to show for it, I let my membership expire.
Also I have the opportunity now to collaborate w/ a truly great singer so my limited energies have gone that way.
TAXI anecdote -
Many years ago, a close friend of mine was in a boy band that was signed to a major label. I co-wrote 2 of their songs and an album was produced.
The label was very much behind the project and I even met some of the honchos.
The album production was handled by some big time people and turned out beautifully!
(I didn't know who they were at the time but I've since read about the producers many times in Mix Mag)
Unfortunately, there was a conflict between the band's mgr and the label and the project died.
Fast forward -
I saw a TAXI listing for 'pop songs for young artist' so I sent in one of my co-written tunes with the big time production.
Can you guess that it was deemed not good enough to be forwarded?
I thought I had another one to tell but it escapes me at the moment.
Aloha,
Stabb
Like most things, the more you put into it the better your chanc
Like most things, the more you put into it the better your chances.
A company like TAXI is a good thing for people like me who aren't in LA or any other major music city. I'm in Hawaii - musical boonies.
Also, if your stuff is crap then you'll have less of a chance, or is it more of a chance?
I don't know what it costs now but it used to be $300 and $5 per submission.
If you can afford that, and you don't have other options (one would be to let your music sit around and not be heard), I would say go for it.
I think TAXI's listings are available for all to see.
Check'em out and see if your stuff is appropriate.
Unless you work better w/ a deadline and can rip out productions quickly, my advice is to get a body of work ready to go before you join.
I've had a song in a network TV show.
That wouldn't have happened without TAXI.
Aloha,
Stabb
Working with Music Libraries? Yes, this Taxi thread has made me
Working with Music Libraries?
Yes, this Taxi thread has made me a little curious to ask:
Does anyone here have experience working with music libraries? I have been researching production music such as that marketed by music libraries.
I am an instrumental composer, very interested in working with these libraries. I know of course Taxi can put you in touch with this segment of the industry, but what about approaching the libraries yourself?
Does anyone have any experience approaching the libraries, making contacts, etc, and getting original pieces / recordings placed in libraries with success?
Would love to hear stories / tips...
Thanks in advance
-jason
Some facts :-) [="http://forums.taxi.com/taxi-success-stories-f
Some facts :-)
[="http://forums.taxi.com/taxi-success-stories-f7.html"]TAXI.com - TAXI Success Stories[/]="http://forums.taxi…"]TAXI.com - TAXI Success Stories[/]
[[url=http://="http://www.taxi.com…"]TAXI: What Would You Do With the Ultimate List of Publishers, Record Labels and Film & TV Music Supervisors?[/]="http://www.taxi.com…"]TAXI: What Would You Do With the Ultimate List of Publishers, Record Labels and Film & TV Music Supervisors?[/]
Hi DJ, Yep, TAXI is not only still around, we're flourishing. T
Hi DJ,
Yep, TAXI is not only still around, we're flourishing. The reason I responded to these old threads is that they came up on my google alerts. TAXI is not for everybody. Some people don't want to do the work, others get pissed when our [="http://www.taxi.com/aandr.html"]A&R team[/]="http://www.taxi.com…"]A&R team[/] doesn't't recognize their genius. I understand.
I knew when I started the company that plenty of people would get weird if we didn't forward their music. I would think that every songwriter/artist/composer thinks their music is great. Can't blame them for that. And TAXI makes an easy target. It's easier to blame us than their music. What bothers me is that all the proof one would need is sitting there for the world to see, but people rarely [[url=http://="http://forums.taxi…"]point to the examples[/]="http://forums.taxi…"]point to the examples[/].
TAXI is a process, not a miracle cure. If you think you're going to join and get a deal a week later, you're bound to be let down. The truth about TAXI is that for most people, it's the feedback from our screeners that helps make them better. Also, [="http://www.taxi.com/rally/"]our convention, the Road Rally[/]="http://www.taxi.com…"]our convention, the Road Rally[/] is considered by many to be the best convention of its type anywhere, and each member gets two FREE tickets with their membership. Even if you never made a single submission to TAXI, the membership fee would be cheaper than buying tickets to any of the other conventions for songwriters, artists, and composers.
[[url=http://="http://forums.taxi…"]Here's a great thread that bears witness from a skeptic[/]="http://forums.taxi…"]Here's a great thread that bears witness from a skeptic[/].
The members who end up getting deals through TAXI are generally the most committed, hardest working folks you'll meet. They use our feedback and they get better over time, eventually getting good enough that they DO get forwarded and they DO get deals. Certainly not all of them. But for many of our members, TAXI is about the education and the focus that being in a professional environment like TAXI brings them.
All the best,
Michael
I get their mail.
I am leary of a platform I have no control over. Yes, your stuff will probably be heard by Disney and if they like it, they will get their boys and girls to reproduce it and you would have paid to make them rich.
Stay indie is my advice.
If anyone offers you a check for 50K no strings attached, yes, you may have something, (may have to pay it back anyway) but paying to get heard or payola as in paying stations to get on is a violation of Federal law..even though it goes on.
Group from Seattle bypassed the system and is making it happen. Stay indie.